Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel does not make any effort to hide his stern objections to an interim agreement in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority).

Justice Minister (The Movement) Tzipi Livni, who is heading the talks for Israel, is pleased with the media blackout that permits her to move ahead without the daily media scrutiny. For Ariel and his colleagues in the political right, this forum is a dangerous one for they are well-aware of Livni’s leftist agenda and her willingness to sacrifice yishuvim throughout Yehuda and Shomron to announce an agreement.

Leaks emanating from the negotiations signal an Israeli offer of a temporary state with temporary borders, which was rejected by the PA. Minister of Tourism (Yisrael Beitenu) Dr. Uzi Landau at Sunday’s cabinet meeting expressed adamant opposition to any and all interim agreements with the PA.

Landau explained that while borders may be temporary a Palestinian state will not be and considering several Arab nations around Israel are in the midst of an upheaval, adding a PA state surrounding Israel’s borders at this time would be too dangerous.

Speaking to leaders of yishuvim manning a protest tent  outside the Prime Minister’s Office as he entered the cabinet meeting, Ariel explained “the chances of reaching a final agreement with the PA at present are almost nil and I believe they will try to reach an interim agreement which endangers us. We must voice a loud audible voice against any interim agreement and not just wake up when they are addressing the finishing touches [of such an agreement].”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)